Contraception Guide

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The female combined pill is a pill that contains oestrogen and progestogen (synthetic versions of hormones that occur naturally in the human body). It stops the body from ovulating (releasing an egg) and is considered 99% effective. It requires taking everyday, so forgetful people increase their risk of an unwanted pregnancy.

The male/female condom involves a latex covering (or similar compound) that goes over the end of the penis or in the opening of the vagina. Used correctly, they will protect against unwanted pregnancy and STIs (the only form of contraception to do both). They are considered 98% effective, and it is important to always buy a condom with CE mark on it, which means it

Coils (IUD or IUS) are long acting but reversible contraceptives which are implanted once, and then continue to function without any further impute from an individual. An IUD prevents sperm from surviving in the cervix of fallopian tubes, and can prevent the egg from implanting in the womb. They are 99% effective, and can last unto 10 years. they have to be implanted and removed by a medical professional, but they are effective immediately, and also return you to normal fertility immediately on being removed. An IUS (otherwise known as a Mirena coil) releases progestogen into the womb and inhibits the movement of sperm and eggs within the womb and cervix. Again, it is 99% effective and normally functions for around 5 years.

An implant is a small tube that contains progestogen that is inserted under the skin and last for around 3 years. It works in a similar way to the injection, thickening the mucus in the cervix. It is highly effective - 99.9% of users will not get pregnant within a year. It has another key advantage over other forms of contraception, in that it will restore your fertility straightaway when removed. This implanting and removal must be carried out by a medical professional, and of course it doesn

Caps & Diaphragms are both devices made out of latex or silicone and are inserted into the vagina. The caps cover the cervix (the entrance to the womb) and are combined with spermicide to kill any sperm that come into contact. They are reusable, but need to be fitted initially by a medical professional. They are 92-96% effective, but offer only limited protection against STIs.

An injection is a hormone jab that works for between 8 and 12 weeks to prevent pregnancy. It thickens the mucus in the cervix, stopping sperm from reaching the egg, and can also stop the production of the eggs themselves. It is 99% effective and has the advantage of not requiring you to remember to take a pill every day.

Natural Family Planning is a method that requires you to take note of your body

The hormone patch is a sticky patch that delivers oestrogen and progestogen into the body. They work in a smiler way to the pill - you wear one of them each week for 3 weeks, and then have a week off. The prevent pregnancy in the same way as the combined pill, but have the advantage of not requiring you to take a pill each day.

The vaginal ring is inserted into the vagina for 21 days of each month, steadily releasing oestrogen and progestogen to increase the mucus levels in the cervix and prevent sperm from moving and eggs implanting in the womb. It

Female sterilisation is a routine operation that permanently prevents a woman from getting pregnant. The fallopian tubes are sealed, and there is a 99.5% success rate, meaning that only 1 in 20 women will get pregnant after having undergone the operation. There are some small risks that the tubes can reconnect, and the operation is very difficult to reverse, so it should only be considered by those who are certain they no longer wish to get pregnant.

The morning after pill is not considered a form of contraception - instead it is an emergency measure for when your main form of contraception has failed. If taken within 24 hours of having unprotected sex, then the pill is 95% effective, but this decreases overtime. Newer pills and IUD devices can extend the effectiveness of emergency contraception to unto 5 days.

For more information on contraception go to NHS Choices >

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

I was just wonder if anyone could tell me how long you need to be off the pill of to get your period back to normal,i have been on it 10 years now. i was getting married so i took 2 months straight and since then its been very very light you would not know you had it, so was thinking for going off it a while to see if a could get it back to normal.

Asked on 11 May 2012 15:14 by lynzi
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i was on the debo 2 years and been of it now since jan and i have still not had a piriod

Posted on 15 May 2012 20:12 by charlotte
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This is a good answer

can the implant cause bad mood swings simmilar to bipolar and vaginal dryness?

Posted on 10 May 2012 21:33 by sam
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i had the mirena coil (which i believe is a different hormone) and that caused a MASSIVE relapse with my bipolar disorder. hormones can cause all sorts of mood problems and can definitely cause vaginal dryness.

Posted on 17 May 2012 23:54 by eleni
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i had a coil fitted about 2 months ago but im still getting excruciating abdominal pains occasionally but it seems to get worse when im on my period. it also hurts me when im having sex with my boyfriend and im on top, is this normal?

Posted on 30 Apr 2012 00:56 by Nicola
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May be your vagina ch. is small and the penis head hits the ring

Posted on 16 May 2012 21:38 by Xavier
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its not abnormal, but its not desirable either. i'd talk to the doctor or clinic that fitted it and see if its in the right place. it might be that its moved or that it just doesnt suit you. x

Posted on 17 May 2012 23:56 by eleni
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About 3 years ago I was on the contraceptive pill, shortly after I developed a non cancerous lump in my breast which was removed. The doctors said it may have been caused by taking the pill. I was put on the pill for severe acne. I would like to be put back on it as it really helped to clear them, but I am worried that I may develop another breast lump. What would you recommend ?

Posted on 27 Apr 2012 23:07 by kirsty
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Does anyone know how long to wait before your period comes back after coming off the ceratte pill? I have heard it can take a while, but I haven't been told when to start expecting them back/start worrying that they haven't come back?! x

Posted on 24 Apr 2012 12:15 by Molly
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I was sterilised about 10years ago and is now with a new partner, we would like to have my sterilisation reversed. Is this possible and what would be the likelyhood of me becoming pregnant. Thanks.

Asked on 23 Apr 2012 23:38 by Denise
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I have been having unprotected sex for over three years and have never been pregnant why is this?

Posted on 23 Apr 2012 21:45 by Jade
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Is there a contraception that wont cause weight gain? i have tried the pill,injections and the copper and marina coil and still gain about 1 stone in weight! I dont change my eating habits

Asked on 23 Apr 2012 21:44 by michelle
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I'm on the contraceptive patch, it's great I've had no side effects and after my 2nd child I wanted to lose weight not gain it and I have been able to lose weight. After I had my 1st child I went in the injection and gained 1st so the patch has been great.

Posted on 10 May 2012 11:43 by Samantha
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This is a good answer

condoms?

Posted on 14 May 2012 15:30 by Angie
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This is a good answer

im 27, after having my second child i went on to have the implant in which i bleed all the time i was on it that was for just over a year the doctor also gave me the pill aswel to help but no change so the had it taken out with a two month break, then went on to the ceraette pill which have been on it now for 8 months with still bleeding or if not that im spotting.iv have smears that have come back fine. just a little concerned now as i feel the doctors have given up on me..

Posted on 16 Apr 2012 21:51 by shelley
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please answer me. i have stopped taking the cerazette pill and i got a light period and it was brown bout three days after i stopped, i had unprotected sex about five days before and now im scared because my friend said it could be an implantation bleed, i should get my period in about three weeks, is that normal or could i be pregnant?

Posted on 16 Apr 2012 17:38 by Lauren
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so you stopped taking the pill (completely? or for the break?) and then you got your period (which was lighter than usual but at the right time?) as far as i remember sperm can stay in the vagina for about a week so its possible you could be pregnant. the only way to know for sure is to take a test which you wont work until your period is due. i think its unlikely that you're pregnant but im not 100% on how that particular pill works.

Posted on 19 Apr 2012 01:38 by eleni
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*3 days, rather than a week sorry.

Posted on 19 Apr 2012 01:40 by eleni
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It usually takes up to 3 months for your body to sort itself out after coming off that particular pill! So I wouldn't worry too much if it's irregular/non existent for a while :) The body needs time. If you're worried, take some pregnancy tests :)

Posted on 1 May 2012 23:25 by Molly
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